Crawford: Don’t expect me to cut my locks
DAMION Crawford is convinced that he can climb further up Jamaica’s political ladder without having to cut his locks that sanctions him as a Rastaman.
That’s why the popular Opposition senator, who is seeking to become a vice-president of the People’s National Party (PNP), has scoffed at the view that if he wanted to go a step further than the second tier leadership he needs to clip his precious locks in preparation for that day.
“If influential party powerbrokers were to come to you and say, you have it all; orally you are the man, but you need to trim your locks, or else we will not support your candidacy for higher officer, would you?” was the question posed by the Jamaica Observer to the Westmoreland-born Crawford.
“No. Absolutely not,” was the Kingston College old boy’s zippy response.
“At Carrot Jarrett’s funeral, I carried greetings on behalf of the PNP and I stated that I am appreciative of what role the party plays in getting people of my image to be accepted. The other person on the other side speaking for the JLP at the same funeral was Alando Terrelonge, who has the same image,” Crawford said.
The one-term Member of Parliament for St Andrew West Rural made history during the General Election of December 2011, when he became the first dreadlocked person to be elected (or appointed) to the Jamaican Parliament.
He defeated the Jamaica Labour Party’s Joan Gordon Webley who, ironically, is now set to represent the PNP in the same seat, having switched parties.
For Crawford, defending what he believes in is the important element.
“I think I need to be an example to Jamaica that you don’t have to bleach to reach, because me nah go trim fi win. Therefore, if I trim to win then those who are of less blessing than I as it relates to positioning in society will continue to feel that they have to bleach to reach.
“So I feel that I have to live my life as an example to them that I won’t bow to the system. If I feel to trim I will trim, but I won’t be caused to trim. People have lost their lives for change, so if I lose a seat for change its not a big deal to me.
“I will not trim – just to win. If my heart says trim I will, but nobody can tell me to trim in order to get a position,” said Crawford, who is following in the footsteps of his father who also wore a dreadlocked hairstyle.
“My heart has never told me that I should trim. My father told me when he was on his way out that he had to trim to get a job, so therefore I grew this (locks) because of that, and I don’t think I have made a sufficient statement. I am the first person with locks to be elected, so that has broken down some barriers,” Crawford said.
But what about trying to become the first with dreadlocks to be named PM?
“Well, if the party moves in that direction and I still have my locks and the party is willing, then I would be the first, but I couldn’t predict that. What I want to do now is make sure that Peter Phillips gets his chance. One of the realities of the situation is that I am convinced that he is the best person to lead the country. He might not be the best person to excite people or the best person to motivate an elector, but he is the best person to lead a country.
“If Peter Phillips is the best person to lead the country then the group has to come around to make sure that he gets that opportunity. So my role currently is to just partner with Batman as Robin and say OK this is what I carry and based on what I carry the team can become a more built out team — because if you have a strong defensive team they want a forward; if you have a strong attacking team they want a defender. So Peter is a very strong leader and he might just want somebody to excite people, attract attention, and to create energy around him,” Crawford stated.